TV Santa Barbara

L.A. Times political columnist Mark Z. Barabak returns for a deep dive on the California governor’s race, breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the front-runners – and offering some on-the-ground intel on the disconnect between what Actual Voters and the pundit class are focused on, 19 days before June 2 primary. Plus: insights about the national war over redistricting, Gavin Newsom’s nascent presidential campaign and Kamala Harris – WTAF.

Scott Devine shares his journey in theater, reflecting on his background and the pandemic's impact on the arts. He discusses the upcoming season at Ensemble Theater, emphasizing community support and engaging programming to draw audiences back. Devine highlights the importance of truth in storytelling and the unique themes of family, history, and cultural representation in the new plays, encouraging audiences to return for live performances.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

A blockbuster development planned for the Carpinteria Bluffs, a wind farm project torpedoed by the Trump Administration, and the latest twist in the Sable Oil saga all feature on this week’s episode of Newsmakers TV, as Callie Fausey returns to reprise her recent reporting on the environmental beat, and Josh Molina shares all the latest happenings and gossip on the political beat, less than a month before the June 2 primary.

Community activists Chuck Flacks and Charla Bregante join the genial host to discuss the mid-term elections and “Flip the Vote,” a nationwide grassroots organization aimed at helping blue state voters direct money and resources to crucial congressional swing districts that will determine whether Donald Trump and the MAGA movement continue to hold unchecked power in Washington.

TC Boyle shares insights about his life and writing, focusing on his new novel, Blue Skies. He discusses themes like climate change and personal experiences with nature. Boyle highlights how the weather affects mood and the challenges of living in disaster-prone areas. He emphasizes literature's role in exploring existential issues and human-environment interactions, while also reflecting on his teaching and social media engagement.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

After six years and more than 60 public hearings, the Santa Barbara City Council this week finally approved a master plan for State Street – but many, expensive hurdles remain, as Josh Molina, Ryan Cruz and Nick Welsh discuss with the genial host on this week’s edition. Plus: some high-quality political gossip, the latest on the community standoff with ICE and a new twist in the saga of that blockbuster housing development at the Mission.

Este foro para los candidatos a la Asamblea Estatal de California del Distrito 37 está siendo patrocinado por la League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara, junto con nuestros co-patrocinadores, la rama Santa Bárbara–Goleta de AAUW y la League of Women Voters of North Santa Barbara County. Les transmitimos desde el estudio de TVSB, en vivo a través de la página de Facebook de LWVSB y el canal de YouTube de LWVSB.La elección primaria crítica será el 2 de junio de 2026. Puede verificar que su registro de votante esté actualizado (su dirección, etc.) en voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Si necesita actualizarlo, puede volver a registrarse para votar en registertovote.ca.gov. Todos los votantes registrados en California recibirán una boleta por correo, así que asegúrese de registrarse antes de la fecha límite del 18 de mayo para recibir su paquete de votación por correo.¡Por favor, recuerde votar!Silvia Uribe de TransilPro proporcionará interpretación simultánea en español. El evento será grabado por TVSB en inglés y en español, y la grabación se publicará en nuestro sitio web.

This forum for the Candidates for California Assembly’s 37th District is being sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara, together with our co-sponsors, the Santa Barbara – Goleta Valley branch of AAUW, and the League of Women Voters of North Santa Barbara County. We’re coming to you from the studio of TVWB, live-streaming on the LWVSB Facebook page and on the LWVSB YouTube channel.Critical primary election, June 2, 2026. You can check to make sure that your voter registration is up to date (your address, etc. is correct) at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. If it needs to be updated, you can re-register to vote at registertovote.ca.gov. All registered voters in California will receive a ballot in the mail, so be sure to register by the May 18th deadline so that you receive your ballot packet in the mail.Please remember to vote!Silvia Uribe of TransilPro will provide simultaneous interpretation in Spanish. It will be recorded by TVSB in both English and Spanish and the recording will be posted on our website.

Joe Holland, the incumbent Clerk-Assessor-Recorder and voter registrar for Santa Barbara County, discusses how he oversees his $22 million department from home, an arrangement made necessary by serious health challenges. In a conversation with Josh Molina and the genial host, Holland defends his effectiveness against criticism from the Board of Supervisors - and campaign rival Melinda Greene - insisting he is available full-time by phone and text deputies to respond to any problems that arise.

Melinda Greene, the non-elective Chief Deputy in the Clerk-Recorder-Assessor’s office, in the June 2 primary is challenging Joe Holland, now seeking an unprecedented seventh term as head of the low-profile but consequential department, which also administers local elections. In a conversation with Josh Molina and the genial host, Greene says that her boss’s long-term physical absence from work is a crucial difference in the race, in a year when local elections officials are under direct threat from Donald Trump, and “being present” is essential to ensuring the integrity of voter ballots and information.

Explore the impactful work of the Santa Barbara Police Activities League (PAL) with Dr. Cynder Sinclair. Hear from Detective Luke Vorster and Judy Lugo about PAL's mission to foster positive youth-law enforcement relationships. Discover their free teen center, mentorship programs, and initiatives like the kitchen renovation, all designed to support and empower local youth.

This segment from 'The 805 Focus' features an insightful interview with Rob Fredericks, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. He details the critical affordable housing crisis and the proactive initiatives undertaken by HACSB. The discussion highlights ongoing developments, partnerships, and the significant waitlist, underscoring the urgent need for accessible housing solutions.

Explore the remarkable transformation of Elings Park in Santa Barbara with "The 805 Focus." Dr. Cynder Sinclair interviews Justin Bart and Bruce Giffin, highlighting the park's journey from a former dump to a thriving 240-acre nonprofit. Learn about their ambitious field renovation project, community fundraising efforts, and the diverse recreational and cultural offerings available to the public.

Emma Trelles shares her experiences as a poet, highlighting her Cuban heritage and the impact of language on her work. She discusses her role as a poet laureate and the importance of community and the creative process. Through readings of her poems, she connects her work to Florida and her grandmother, while encouraging aspiring poets to read widely and develop their unique voices.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

Supervisors Roy Lee and Laura Capps return to Newsmakers TV to discuss the measures they passed this week in a bid to restrain and restrict ICE activities in the county and local elections. The two express concerns that violent federal deportation actions have created a “tinderbox” in the community and offer withering criticism of Sheriff Bill Brown’s failures to balance local concerns about safety and access with federal crackdown demands.

Carolyn Jabs | Board Chair & Lynn Karlson | Board MemberDiscover the impactful work of The Women's Fund, a collective giving circle empowering women to drive philanthropic change. Learn about their 22-year legacy of supporting nonprofits serving women, children, and families, and their new Small Grants Pilot Program designed for smaller organizations. Hear from Board Chair Carolyn Jabs about their rigorous research process and commitment to measurable impact.

Heather Behrens | Director of Marketing & Nova Jeswein | Youth Education & Volunteer ManagerExplore the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum with Nonprofit Connect's 805 Focus. Discover their extensive exhibits, including a Fresnel lens and an interactive children's area. Learn about their impactful educational programs, from "Maritime on the Move" to "floating classrooms," fostering a love for marine science and local history. The museum actively seeks volunteers to support its vital community outreach.

Melinda Palacio, an internationally lauded poet, author, and speaker, served as Santa Barbara’s first Chicana Poet Laureate. She was nominated by several community members and recommended to the Council for appointment by the City Arts Advisory Committee. A long-time resident of Santa Barbara, Palacio noted, "Santa Barbara itself is a poem. Santa Barbara is the city that made me a poet." Her journey and the significance of diverse voices in poetry. She reads her poems, including those for Pride Month, and discusses her writing process, emphasizing journaling and prompts. The conversation also addresses homelessness in Santa Barbara and how poetry can tackle social issues, reflecting her deep connection to the city and its beauty.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

Rep. Salud Carbajal returns to Newsmakers TV with a thundering denunciation of Donald Trump’s “illegal war” in Iran, coupled with an acknowledgement that there is little congressional Democrats can do about stopping it. In a wide-ranging interview, Santa Barbara’s man in Washington calls on the Vice President and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, says he supports the effort to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and opposes the Administration’s $1.5 trillion budget request for the Pentagon. Plus: why he won’t debate Republican rival Bob Smith.

Craig Clevinger discusses his novels, including 'Mother Howell,' and shares insights about his writing journey and influences. He reflects on his experiences living abroad, the creative process, and themes in his work. Clevinger emphasizes the importance of reading widely and stepping out of comfort zones for writers. The conversation also covers the adaptation of his works into film and the changing landscape of author promotion today.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

Lillian Perlmutter of the Santa Barbara News-Press joins the gang on this week’s episode, to break down how she put together her explosive investigative report showing the number of ICE arrests in and around the county jails is much higher than previously known, while Callie Fausey explains the controversy behind the federal government’s approval of a 20-year license extension for the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, and Josh Molina sifts the contentious policy and politics that shaped this week’s epic City Council meeting over rent control. Plus: the genial host rants about Oscar Gutierrez twiddling his little fidget toy while allegedly doing the public’s business.

The Santa Barbara Writers Conference, established in 1973, has become a hub for writers over the past 50 years. It offers workshops and networking opportunities, creating a supportive community. Participants enjoy memorable interactions with renowned authors and benefit from the resources provided. Despite changes in venues and leadership, the conference's mission to nurture writers and celebrate their craft remains steadfast, serving both aspiring and established writers.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

On this week’s episode, the Three Amigos discuss the two most consequential ways the Trump regime inflicts damage and pain on Santa Barbara County, as Nick Welsh reprises his latest reporting in the Independent about Sable Offshore, the rogue oil company that has restarted pumping offshore oil through a disputed and antiquated pipeline that already has caused one major local spill, and Josh Molina breaks down a blockbuster News-Press.com investigation that shows how cooperation between Sheriff Bill Brown and ICE on immigration deportations has been closer than previously known. Plus: reflections on the latest “No Kings” demonstrations.

Timothy Bottoms shares stories from his new book, reflecting on his childhood fishing experiences in Santa Barbara and the influence of his father. He recounts humorous fishing adventures, the excitement of catching halibut, and the values of patience and kindness. Bottoms also discusses his acting career, including his work in Hollywood and a reading from his book that connects his life experiences to his writing.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

On the eve of the third major “No Kings” protest, Christina McDermott returns to Newsmakers TV to reprise her reporting on how organizers have built a broad pro-democracy coalition that will be in evidence at demonstrations across the county this weekend, and Josh Molina and Ryan P. Cruz break down the latest housing news from Santa Barbara City Hall, where the latest data provides a gloomy outlook about efforts to build more affordable units, while council members this week fork out thousands for a consultant to begin implementing rent control. Plus: Josh’s latest scoop on Chik-fil-A.

Host David Starkey engages with poet Ruben Lee Dalton about the emotional power of poetry and its ties to personal experiences. Ruben shares reflections on father-son relationships, nature, and the Vietnam War. Significant life events inspire his work, including a touching poem about his father and a memorable night with his son. The conversation highlights writing as therapy and music's role in healing, culminating in a performance that captures themes of loss and remembrance.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

As pro-democracy opposition to the Trump regime broadens, a new wave of student energy is helping fuel the next big “No Kings” rally, scheduled for March 28 in Santa Barbara’s Alameda Park, as UCSB and SBCC leaders Tallula Borman and Calli Fonua join Ian Paige of Indivisible SB for a conversation with the genial host about the importance of civil society action, the cruelty of ICE’s deportation crusade and the connection of popular protest to the November mid-terms.

In a special Newsmakers TV episode, Independent columnist Nick Welsh reprises his exclusive reporting about the fast-moving Sable Oil story, as California faces off with Trump amid war with Iran.

On a new episode of Newsmakers TV, our All-Star Panel of Leading Local Journalists braves the perils of Friday the 13th to break down the top news stories of the week in Santa Barbara.

Josh Molina, Nick Welsh and Callie Fausey join the genial host for a new episode of analysis and commentary about Santa Barbara’s biggest local news stories, as the real estate community strikes back legally against City Hall’s push for rent control, the Board of Supervisors faces $66 million in red ink amid its ongoing fiscal and political feud with Sheriff Bill Brown and the Unified School District trustees approve a seventh period for its four junior high schools, resolving one of its most contentious recent issues. Plus: a few words of remembrance and support on the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Putin’s Russia.

In this Episode of the Creative Community, Host David Starkey sits down with Editor, Writer, and Teacher Shelly Lowenkopf.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

Perry Longo explores how the pandemic has influenced poetry and shares his personal journey through injuries. He highlights the healing aspects of writing, particularly in hospice environments, and discusses the creative process. Longo reads several poems inspired by nature and personal struggles, encouraging emerging poets to embrace their unique voices. The discussion showcases poetry's transformative ability to connect individuals through shared experiences.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

The Community Arts Workshop is a project of the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative, a nonprofit committed to sustaining and growing all forms of the arts in Santa Barbara. On April 8, 2014, the City of Santa Barbara signed a lease with the Arts Collaborative for 631 Garden St., the former site of a city motor pool, to create the Community Arts Workshop—two large buildings and four separate spaces for rehearsals, painting, sculpture, gallery shows, annual workshop space for the Santa Barbara Solstice Parade, and more. On September 25, 2018, the City extended the lease for 25 years. Casey Caldwell, CAW's Managing Director, sits down with David Starkey for a lively discussion.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

Amid Democratic fears that two Republicans will sneak into run-off in contest for governor, Trump's unpopularity boosts chances that partisan control flips in the House - and maybe the Senate.

Gwen Lurie, Editor in Chief and CEO of Montecito Journal Media Group, shares her journey and the vital role of local journalism. She discusses the need for diverse perspectives and storytelling, the creative community in Santa Barbara, and the challenges faced during the pandemic. Lurie highlights the importance of print media and upcoming projects like the Giving List, which connects donors to nonprofits, emphasizing the community's philanthropic spirit.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

A lifelong Santa Barbara arts journalist and musician, Joe Woodard is a guitarist/ songwriter who has traversed multiple byways of blurry music.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

In an exclusive interview with Newsmakers TV, Sheriff Bill Brown provided his most extensive public comments to date about recent conflicts and controversies surrounding the actions of federal immigration agents in and around Santa Barbara County, which he said have had a “corrosive effect” on public trust in local law enforcement.

On this week’s episode, Newsmakers TV’s all-star panel of top local journalists examines the growing visibility of opposition to the cruelty and chaos of Donald Trump in Santa Barbara, as Ella Heydenfeldt, Christina McDermott, Josh Molina and Nick Welsh join the genial host to discuss whether there is an age gap in pro-democracy protest efforts, the state’s rescue of Planned Parenthood from Administration cuts, and an up-close-and-personal look at the soccer mom realtor who stood up to the violence of immigration agents on the Eastside. Plus: the latest in the mystery death of UCSB freshman Liz Hamel, a new episode of the “Welcome to I.V.” podcast and yet more legal trouble for the Sable Offshore oil company.

In this episode of "The Creative Community," Host David Starkey sits down with noted memoirist Diana Raab. They discuss her life, her writing, and she gives the audience a few short readings from her books.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

With the nation’s attention focused on the spectacle of murderous federal agents gunning down citizens in Minneapolis, the masked violence of the Trump Administration – and civil society’s opposition to it – manifest in Santa Barbara this week. Ryan P. Cruz, Josh Molina and Nick Welsh join the genial host to discuss the invasion of the Eastside by immigration authorities, the protests that arose in response, and the precarious role that local law enforcement plays in the conflict. Plus: rent freeze, new plan for State Street, homeless center update, farewell to local heroes.

On this episode of Creative Community, host David Starkey sits down with local poet Chryss Yost to discuss what inspires her and her role with Santa Barbara publications.The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

On this week’s episode, a mash-up of stories that illustrate Santa Barbara’s unique character, as the Newsmakers TV panel discusses the alarming decline in of butterflies at Elwood Mesa, appointment of the Harbor Commission’s first Chumash member, and a roiling City Hall dispute over a summer camp called Lobster Jo’s, with Callie Fausey, Ryan P. Cruz and Josh Molina also breaking down the city of Goleta’s big win in hosting a World Cup team, allegations of anti-Semitism by UCSB’s former student body president, and the rich local history found in the newly-resurfaced archive of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

One year after Donald Trump’s inauguration, Newsmakers reconvenes our All-Star Panel of National Political Pundits to assess the damage the Administration has done to date and to forecast what comes next. As pro-democracy Americans and the Democratic Party look to the November mid-term elections as the next best opportunity to slow down or stop the march to fascism, veteran political writer Carla Marinucci, national campaign strategist Bill Carrick, and Kamala Harris biographer Dan Morian join the genial host with their takes on Year 1 of the Trump Regime.

With Santa Barbara’s political brawl over rent control certain to shape the 2026 elections for mayor and city council, Josh Molina, Ryan Cruz and Christina McDermott on this week’s episode of Newsmakers TV break down all the latest campaign and policy developments on the housing beat. Christina also goes behind-the-scenes about her new podcast focused on IV, Ryan discusses how his new cover story that puts a human face on deportation cruelty, and Josh reprises Monique Limón’s big hometown celebration, as she ascends to one of the most powerful posts in state government.

The Trump Administration recently seized jurisdiction over Santa Barbara County’s disputed and timeworn Refugio pipeline, triggering new fears about renewed local offshore oil drilling, as Nick Welsh joins the genial host on this week’s episode to sort out the new layers of legal and bureaucratic complexity that as a reuslt have descended on the maddeningly convoluted – and enormously consequential – matter. News-Press Editor Josh Molina parachutes in to discuss his scoop about City Council member Eric Friedman jumping into the mayor’s race, and the three amigos break down what it means for the mayor’s race and the year’s other big local elections.

It’s the Fifth Annual Newsmakers New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show, as we bring together both types of newsmakers -- those who make news toiling in the public arena, and those who make news by writing and opining about them – into one great All-Star Panel to reflect on two key questions: What Just Happened and What Happens Next? Join Supervisor Laura Capps, Mayor Randy Rowse, SB Council member Meagan Harmon, News-Press Editor Josh Molina, Newsmakers Producer Hap Freund, and the genial host to say farewell to 2025, and hear some fearless forecasts about 2026.

Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse checks in to offer his perspective on the two big issues that have consumed City Hall in recent weeks – the future of downtown development at the Paseo Nuevo shopping mall and the push by City Council’s liberal majority to impose a new set of strict rent control regulations on landlords and property owners. News-Press Editor Josh Molina joins the genial host to also interrogate the mayor about his 2026 re-election campaign.

The Santa Barbara News-Press this week named Josh Molina the first editor of the newly-launched, digital incarnation of the historic local news operation and, in his first extensive interview, he talks with Newsmakers TV about the vision for the new News-Press and its impacts on the media landscape, speaking emotionally about his deep roots in the community, long journey through a tumultuous period in the industry, and views on the importance of maintaining venerable values of credibility and fact-based reporting.

In a special Three Amigos episode of Newsmakers TV, Josh Molina and Nick Welsh join the genial host for droll stroll through the week’s top news stories in Santa Barbara, from the foggy future of Paseo Nuevo, simmering conflict over a homeless navigation center and private sector pushback on the city’s waterfront leasing policies, to the latest chapter in the endless story of the North County jail, a hopeful development in the saga of State Street’s future and a new twist in the tragic saga at UCSB.

The Santa Barbara City Council’s refusal to endorse a controversial redevelopment plan for the Paseo Nuevo shopping center has left the hugely consequential land use issue in limbo, and on this week’s edition of Newsmakers TV, Josh Molina and Ryan P. Cruz break down what comes next, as Christina McDermott reprises her reporting on the latest injuries inflicted on local communities by the Trump Administration. Plus: Jerry rants about what’s ultimately behind the mob boss president’s immigration policies.